Our Sunday Best, Life Updates

Greta asked me to take a picture of her for my blog today.  She wants you all to know what she wore Sunday.

Very fashionable!

And since I decided to post about Greta, I figured I'd take pictures of all other willing participants, so you can all see our Sunday best.

Here is Elsa posing for the back to school catalogue.  

Annika is 7 weeks old now and went for the baby giraffe look!  Okay...so she didn't really give verbal consent.

So, I'll take her big smiles as consent instead.

Here is what I wore...7 weeks postpartum.   How long can I use that postpartum label to excuse my squishy belly?  A year from now, I'll be all "here I am, 13 months postpartum" 

Ignore baby spit-up stain on my shirt.  

That's all the willing participants this week. 

In other news, Heidi started high school at a local, public, magnet high school after being homeschooled for 8 years. 

So far, she's doing well.  All A's and overall she likes it!

However, the most exciting news of all, is that three years after graduating from law school, 2 years of underemployment/working on his own at his own business (getting a few clients during that time, but not enough),  my husband FINALLY got a job with a law firm!  Starts on Tuesday. Yay! We're super excited about it. 

That's all for now.  You can look forward to my next blog post in a few days weeks. 

Happy Birthday Heidi, Baby, Lent, Valentine's and High School

1.  Today is Heidi's 14th birthday.  Happy birthday to my wonderful, smart, beautiful daughter.  People say they dread the teenage years, but so far, teenager-hood is way more delightful and easy than toddler-hood.   Now, she actually is turning into a reasonable person who you can converse with in a logical, interesting manner.  And she never throws stuff or spits food out or insists on getting the pink cup or cries because her banana broke. Teenagers are way easier than toddlers. 

2.  Last night she had a bunch of her friends over for a birthday party. Birthday parties for teens are way easier than for little kids.   Just throw some snacks and soda at them, and they're good. They entertain themselves (and it can be pretty entertaining at times).  Nothing at all like having a birthday party for a bunch of 5-year olds. 

Happy Birthday Heidi.

It's the homeboy pose.

3.  Keeping on the Heidi theme, it's looking like, after 8 years of homeschooling, she will be attending high school next year.  A public high school at that.  Actually, it's a very small, magnet school that attracts more "serious/academic" students where you can earn a ton of college credit during high school.  She applied and was accepted into it (they look at grades/test scores and meet with the student) so I think we're going to try it.  If it doesn't work out, we can always go back to homeschooling. Maybe I'll write a future blog post on why are looking at high school after so many years of homeschooling. 

4. How about a baby bump picture.

 I'm almost 15 weeks, so that seems like a good time. I've been feeling what I think is movement for about 2 weeks now, so I think everything is going well, but we'll see.  I feel like I have more of a bump at this stage than I did with the other ones.  That either means that I'm fatter (definitely) or it's a boy (maybe) or my memory is terrible (definitely). 

5. So everyone is talking about what they are doing for Lent.  My sole goal is to pray more and yell less.  Many times my life feels pretty Lenten as it is, so being overworked and underpaid, I'm keeping things simple. 

6. From what I've been seeing on Facebook, the Northeast is getting pounded with snow.  Meanwhile, we've had hardly anything.  Makes me glad I don't live in the Northeast anymore. 

7.  I'm out of ideas for takes, so I'm just going to consider this a wrap and link-up. 

Hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day and a holy Lent. 

This is the card I'm going to give my Valentine. 

This was created by the Archdiocese of Detroit

 I figure anyone who can stay married to me, must be a candidate for canonization.

7 Quick Takes Friday - Birthdays and Houses

1. We have a teenager in the house! It's Heidi's 13th birthday today! So far, it's not so bad.  Everyone says teenagers are awful. But, my teenager is way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way easier than my toddler. Way easier. And Heidi is an exceptionally good teen.  She's smart and friendly and kind and helpful and responsible and honest.  Plus she's turning into a very good writer, a not bad chess player and a wonderful person. Happy Birthday Heidi.  We love you!

This is how she wanted her picture taken. 

Everytime I see this picture, I think that's me.  Until I realize it's not me.  It's a bit disoncerting that my daughter is the same size as me.  Plus she's wearing my hat...so I get confused.  Sometimes I like to wear her jacket. It's fun. 

2. Life has been a bit hectic lately.   We're moving forward with plans to start a solo law practice.  And part of that involves house searching.  Which I thought would be fun but it's actually a major headache.

3. Mostly because we have all these requirements.  While still trying to keep the price under a certain amount.  It's sorta like trying to find a magic beanstalk. 

4.  Actually we had found the "perfect house".  We were getting ready to put an offer on it.  Then we read something in the paperwork about checking for meth houses and registered sex offenders. Sure enough, there was a registered offender in the house right behind that one..and another one two houses down.

5.Yes, I realize that not all people on the registry are dangerous.  But when some one's offense is "Offense against Children" it makes one think twice and thrice about buying a house near them. 

6. Of course, nothing is ever simple. After that didn't work out, we decided to change strategies and look in a different locale. So we're back to trying to find the magic beanstalk.  Every time we think we find something that might work...it doesn't work.

7. To make the week even more crazy...Ben got a flat tire and apparently the lug nut and stud broke.  Whatever that means I don't know. But apparently the labor is expensive and we got some miracle mechanic who was able to fix it without taking the hub off.  Because apparently the 16 year old car that I got brand new when I graduated from college is completely rusted.  If they had taken the hub off, the entire thing would have fallen apart.  Or something like that. Or so the mechanic says. He seemed like an honest guy anyway.  He even showed me videos of his granddaughter on his smart phone while I was waiting.  Anyway...thankfully old Gabe is still trucking along a little longer.  We'll see how long he lasts.

Gabe in his younger years.

Linking up with Kelly for 7QTF.

 

Hulk Hogan Gloves and Other Takes

1.  If you didn't see this on Facebook, we finally have a definitive diagnosis on Heidi.  She has a bone infection and the treatment is long-term (several months) of antibiotics, but the prognosis is good for complete recovery without any long-term problems. I'm so relieved that we have an answer and that it's not something more serious.

2. Heidi's Infectious Disease doctor is the best doctor I have ever dealt with. Ever!  We've moved a lot, so the kids have changed pediatricians a lot and she is by far...the.best.  She takes a ton of time to answer ALL MY QUESTIONS.  The visits aren't rushed at all and we never have to wait a long time.  But the best thing is that she is super supportive of all the alternative supplements and things I am doing and made a point of telling me to continue with them...especially the probiotics.   Seriously,...a gem among doctors!   If you live in Ft. Wayne, Indiana and need a Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist, I can recommend someone (but I hope you never do...need a doctor that is)!

3 My friend and fellow blogger,Erica,will be hosting a link-up on Monday.  Blogs You May Not Be Reading But Should Be. 

I'm planning to participate, and if you are a blogger. I hope you do as well (and mention my blog...ha..just kidding).  I love finding new blogs to read..so it should be fun.

4.  Elsa hasn't really taken a nap all week.  It appears that at less than 2.5 she is dropping her naps.  Which is totally fine with me, because she only napped for like 45 minutes anyway.  When she doesn't take a nap at all, she falls asleep  1.5-2 hours early and still wakes up at the same time.  So no napping equals a net sleep gain.  Sounds like a win to me!  She's always slept well at night, but terrible during the day...doesn't want to miss anything I guess.

5.  So on Kendra's suggestion we got these Smashing Gloves for John for Christmas. 

They are not something I would have EVER picked out on my own.

NEVER!  But, they are a HUGE HIT. I love them...so much fun to use and a great way to work out frustration  Oh..the kids like them too.

6.It's my most wonderful time of the year.  Tax refund time!  Except if we go the self-employment route (which we are leaning more and more towards) this might be our last fun tax refund year.  Self-employment taxes can be high.  Boo.   So, I'll try to enjoy this year!

7.  I did something to my computer and erased all my saved passwords and now I don't know them.  So, I'm spending a large amount of time resetting them.  Which is even more of a pain than it sounds like.  

That's it...these takes are getting boring. So go visit Kelly for more. 

7QTF..Biopsy, Rabbits and Stuff

1.  Heidi is having a biopsy done on her back today. As I previously mentioned, the doctor thinks it's an infection but she isn't sure if it's fungal or bacterial so wants to perform the biopsy so they can give the right treatment.  I'm pretty freaked out about it.  It's outpatient, but she is going to be totally sedated and I've never had a child totally sedated before. Plus, there is always that fear that it is something more serious..like cancer, although the doctors don't think that's it, only a biopsy can rule it out. 

2. We're still thinking of going the solo law practice route...now we're researching houses and loans and home offices and all sorts of things.  It's fun.  Not really..but at least it's different.  And sometimes different can be fun.

3. I sorta majorly freaked out about the whole thing the other day.  Normally I can be somewhat calm about the situation, but occasionally I have this total crash where I just cry and scream and rant and rave. Please tell me I'm not the only one who does that.  It's pretty much the roller coaster between hope and despair...which is a tough ride to be on.  And accepting that there probably will never be an easy resolution to our job situation and no matter what it's going to be hard and many more years of difficulty. 

4. Moving onto a lighter note.

Elsa's favorite phrase is "I did."

Me: Elsa, do you have to go potty?

Elsa: I did.

Me: Elsa, did you color on the wall?

Elsa: I did.

At least she's honest.

5. So, I'm sure you've all heard the brouhaha about the Pope saying something about Catholics shouldn't be like rabbits.  I'm not sure why this is so controversial. Obviously Catholics should not be like rabbits. I mean rabbits eat their own poop and occasionally eat their own offspring.  So no...don't be like rabbits.  Please.

(Actually,..technically they don't eat "poop" but some other sort of bacteria rich product called cecotrope.  It's still comes from their rear end and it's still gross.)

6. Not to pick on rabbits or anything. I really like rabbits.  I've had several pet bunnies over the years.  My first one had white fur with black ears and red eyes.  I think I got her when I was 10 and ever since l,I'd had a series of rabbits over the years. Although we've been rabbit-less for the last 4 years. Rabbits can be messy, but I'm still a sucker for a cute little bunny. 

7. On a more serious note..I really liked Sarah's take on the whole thing. 

Go see Kelly for more quick takes.

Non-Typical Day in the Life - Thursday With Pictures

I'm linking up with Kathryn for Day in the Life this week.

Thursday - another completely non-typical day.

For one thing, it snowed (a little). In November. Before Thanksgiving.  I can't really remember it ever snowing before Thanksgiving.

Of course, my crazy kids like to run around outside barefoot in the snow.  Being barefoot in the snow is like a thing for them. Like some people want to climb Mt. Everest or run a marathon..my kids want to walk around outside barefoot in the snow (without a coat).

So they do.  Briefly..before getting too cold and going in. 

But. I'm getting ahead of myself. The morning began with the discovery that Greta's arm/leg rash that I was pretty sure was an allergic reaction to Sulfa antibiotics spread over her whole body..even her face.  So, I broke down, went to the store, got Benadryl and gave it to her. No doubt that bottle of Benadryl will languish in the medicine cabinet until it expires.

Just one dose and just to see if it would actually clear up the rash.  Which it didn't...so I called the doctor and we got an appointment for that afternoon. 

Then I worked out, we did school and I took Heidi to her first doctor appointment of the day....the eye doctor.  Where we discovered that she needs glasses, her left eye is considerably worse than her right eye. Which is actually good...because the huge discrepancy between the two eyes could account for the frequent headaches she has been getting, so we're really, really, really, really hoping that getting glasses will lesson those headaches. 

Then home for lunch, quick nap for Elsa and then take Greta to the doctor for her rash...where we discovered that it was in fact an allergic reaction to Sulfa antibiotic and not Measles or Ebola or some other terrible disease. 

The home again..throw soup in the crockpot (with homemade broth) for dinner and go to the THIRD doctor appointment of the day..this time for Heidi to the chiropractor. We'll see if it helps, although her pain was slightly less today so I think it may be helping at least some.  

The home for dinner.  Look, I took a picture.  Doesn't it look HEALTHY (and good!)

Yep...chicken noodle soup and raw spinach for dinner. Actually, raw plain spinach is pretty good.  We just sorta munch on it...like rabbits.  It's really not too bad and the kids sorta like it. 

Then Heidi and Greta had the dress rehearsal for the play they are in through our coop. The play is called Sunday School Musical. Cute huh?  I guess that is a play off of High School Musical (which I never saw). 

Today's funny story...I've been noticing the last few days that our house has been really warm...even though it's been really cold outside.  Like, I've had to take off my sweater warm. I thought I was having hot flashes or something.  Then I looked at the thermostat and noticed it was set at 72 instead of 64.  Duh.  The culprit is probably the short one in the picture below. 

   

 Now, we're freezing again. 

Why I Am Officially the Worst Mom Ever (and prayer requests)

1. It's my least favorite time of year.  Yes....I'm a Halloween Grinch.  I hate the pressure to come up with Halloween costumes.  I hate dressing up in general (even as a kid, I hated it).  And I really hate the barrage of candy....because it's not just on Halloween.  It's all the week leading up to Halloween and all the week after it.  Every adult my kids come in contact with seems to feel the need to hand them several pieces of candy each.  I don't mind junk food in moderation..but really there is nothing moderate about Halloween candy. But, mostly I hate dressing up and trying to come up with costumes.  I don't think it's fun.  I think it's awkward and annoying and I would much rather just wear regular clothes.

Plus, I find it weird when other people dress up.  Heidi has a pediatrician's appointment today and the Doctor was wearing a Dr. Seuss hat and t-shirt and all his staff were wearing blue hair. Personally, I find it really hard to take someone seriously when they are wearing a Dr. Seuss hat or a crazy, blue wig.  As I said..Grinch.

2. I think my hatred for Halloween dress-up stems from a traumatic childhood experience. When I was Kindergarten I dressed up as a devil for Halloween (side note: I can't believe my parents let me dress up as a devil, it seems so out of character for them) and we were having a Halloween parade at school and one of the teachers pretended to be scared of me.  I thought she were really scared, and so I got really scared  (keep in mind I started Kindergarten at age 4, so at this point, I still hadn't even turned 5 yet). Yes, this was the great trauma of my childhood. Clearly, I need therapy now. 

3. Of course there is All Saint's Day..which is a little better, because Saint's costumes are a bit easier to come up with.  But, I still hate dressing up and coming up with costumes.  If you are like me, check out last year's post on easy-peasy, no-cost, no-sew Halloween and All Saint's Day Costumes.

4. I'm officially the worst mom ever because I didn't get any pictures of this year's costumes.  First my camera was out of battery and I'm still the last person on earth not to have a smartphone or phone with a camera.  And, then our costumes were so cheapo and homemade that they didn't stand up to trunk or treating.   And tomorrow we're not dressing up because instead of going to assorted All Saint's Day Festivities, we are going to a chess tournament.  Or if we do make an All Saint's Day party, we will be skating in at the 11th hour, and probably not in costume.

Anyway is what they wore...sans photos:

Greta:

St. Joan of Arc:  Homemade sword, shield (made out of cardboard and aluminum foil) and breastplate (out of construction paper) over a red, over sized dress.

John: 

St. Valentine:  Red Sheet, White Adult t-Shirt and homemade Bishop's hat made out of construction paper and cardboard..

NOTE:  Construction paper is NOT good costume material.  It falls apart and rips way too easily. 

And did you know that St. Valentine is the patron saint of beekeepers.  So Elsa wore a bee costume that we had...except it kept falling down on her because we were too stupid to put her arms through the armholes until after we took it off and realized...duh..those are armholes. 

Heidi:

Chose not to dress up because she takes after me in her hatred of dressing up.

Actually John hates it too, but he tolerates it for the candy.   

Halloween is definitely not our thing. Except for this! Heck yeah!

coolmompics.com

5. As you can tell from the above costume descriptions...a perfectionist I am not, especially when it comes to artsy, craftsy stuff. What's the opposite of a perfectionist...an It's Good Enough-ist??  That's me!

6. I thought this article was funny.  When is it okay to turn the heat on in New England? I no longer live in New England, but I still have the tendency to get a fixed date in my head to turn the heat on.   When we lived in RI, my goal was Nov. 1st and not before.  I didn't usually make it...and usually broke down sometime in late Oct.  I'm weak. When we lived in VA, my goal was Nov. 1st as well, and again I broke down a few days early..but not many.   This year we got our heat turned on in early Oct.  We're further North and I'm getting soft.  Plus it's gotten cold earlier.  I absolutely refuse to turn the heat on before October.

7. Ben is still looking for a good lawyer job..so please pray for that.  He's doing some substitute teaching in the meantime, but really need a real job.  And, Heidi (age 12) is having some sort of mysterious back pain, so please pray we can figure that out, cure it, and that it's not something super serious.  We're going for some tests this weekend.  Which is super scary, because believe it or not, I have no experience with "having tests done."  I mean, we've had screening tests or things like x-rays for broken bones from obvious injuries.  But never tests to determine the cause of mysterious symptoms.  So...all together, these two issues are making life sorta stressful right now. 

Hope you are having a great Halloween/All Saint's Day!  I'm linking up with Jen for Quick Takes.

Tales from the Convalescent Home

1.

It all started innocently enough...as these things are apt to do.  On Monday night at dinner, Greta mentioned that she "had a headache" and "my back hurts" and she didn't eat much.   Granted, I was having another go at a gluten-free pizza crust (that no one liked but me) so the not eating much wasn't that unusual. 

2. 

She woke up Tuesday morning feeling hot and sick...headache, wobbly legs. I took her temperature. 102.8...UNDER THE ARM.  Everyone knows that really means her temperature is more like 103. 8.

3.

Naturally I freak out and run to my trusty laptop and consult Dr. Google.   Over the course of he morning I managed to diagnosis her with meningitis, scarlet fever, fifth's disease, yellow fever, brucellosis and dengue fever.  Okay...even I'm sane enough to know that yellow fever and dengue fever were highly unlikely seeing as how you only get those in like Africa or something. 

4.

By the afternoon her fever was up to 104.  ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR, UNDER THE ARM.   That's really like 105.

5. 

Cue frantic call to pediatrician, who is great and reassured me that it was probably just the flu and not meningitis or yellow fever.  She gave me a lecture on making sure she gets plenty of fluids and not to give any medicine unless absolutely necessary...better to just let the fever run its course. I love our pediatrician...she totally jives with my medicine-hating ways. Okay...I don't hate all medicine, but I do try to avoid it if possible.

Cue frantic run to store to buy "fluids" that will be acceptable to sick children. Namely....soda and Popsicle...two things I NEVER buy unless sick.  But for some reasons, sickness and soda go together in my mind.  And, I did get the healthier, all-fruit Popsicles...if that makes you feel better. 

6. 

Meanwhile, Heidi started to feel sick....headache, fever (much lower) and even some vomiting.   Cue day spent on couch doing school via Netflix (she loved watching Drive Thru History)

7. 

On Wednesday, John fell...hard.... fever, lots of lying around and throwing up.  Thursday was pretty much spent with him lying on the couch and occasionally throwing up.

Wrong seasons, right visual. 

  However, by Thursday, Heidi and Greta were doing much better and much to their delight, got to do school again.  John is a slightly better today, but still not quite in the land of the healthy.

By some miracle, Elsa has escaped this illness so far. Yes, I consider that to be a bona fide miracle, because heaven knows, she has been EXPOSED.   Mommy and daddy have also escaped and they have been tripled exposed.  Thank goodness for Vitamins D and C.

Bonus Take:  Because I know you are all wondering.  No, we did not get the flu vaccine this year.  None of us.  We never get it. No, I do not regret not getting it. No, I'm not planning on getting it next year. Fortunately, (so far, knock on wood) we are generally fairly healthy and usually weather basic illness like the flu just fine.  The worst part is just staying home for a week, which isn't really all that bad after all.   After all, it gave me the opportunity to unpack my dishes.

Now, go see Jen for healthier takes. 

7QTF Chocolate Lovers R Us

1.

We love chocolate around here.  I mean, we love, love, love chocolate. 

You know you are a hard core chocoholic when you go for straight unsweetend cocoa powder right out of the jar. 

2.

Or when you ask for a chocolate chess cake for your birthday. 

(For clarity's sake..the cake itself is a (gluten-free) yellow cake, frosted with vanilla frosting and then covered with molded chocolate squares and chocolate chess pieces)

You literally can play with your food. 

Chess and Chocolate lovers rejoyce!

Apparently this is called the Russian Peklav Defense Position....or something like that. 

3.

Keeping with the chocolate theme, I just have to share this.

Source

Happy St. Valentine's Day.

4. 

Of course it's old news that chocolate is good for your heart.  Everyone knows that.

But, did you also know that it's good for your skin, your mood, your cough, your vision, your intelligence, your blood flow and your blood sugar.

5. 

And, then there is this.

What your favorite candy says about your politics.

Do, I dare admit that peanut butter M & M's are my favorite. 

And, what does this say about the Democrats.  Life Savers Gummies?? Airheads?? Nerds??  Push Pops? Seriously? Does any normal person actually like that candy??  If it ain't chocolate, it ain't worth the calories in my not so humble opinion.

6.

Have I ever shared with you my recipe for healthy, homemade chocolate bars?   Just melt coconut oil with peanut butter over the stove.  Add in lots of dark cocoa powder, your sweetner of choice (honey, maple syrup, sugar, palm sugar, raw sugar cane....not too much, remember we are going for healthy here) and whatever other add-ins you like (sea salt, nuts, shredded coconut, dried fruit).   You kinda have to taste it, to get it just right.  Pour in a greased 13 x 9 inch pan, let harden in fridge and then take out and cut into bars.   Ta da....your very own, healthy, super dark chocolate bar at a fraction of the price of the more expensive dark chocolate bars.   Store in the fridge if your house is warmer than 74 degrees or so (coconut oil melts at higher temperatures.) 

Feel free to skip the peanut butter, but I really like it, so I usually add it in.  But, you certianly don't need it. 

7.

So, what's your favorite chocolate?  Me...expensive...I like truffles. Cheap....I like peanut butter M & M's. 

That's all, so go see Jen for less fattening quick takes. 

Happy 12th Birthday Heidi

Twelve years ago today, we got the BEST VALENTINE'S PRESENT EVER!!!

A picture of a picture. And since this picture just happens to have hearts, I'm linking up with Cari for Theme Thursday: Hearts. 

How did this little baby grow so fast into this?

She's smart.  She's beautiful. She's kind. She's a good friend.  She's helpful.  And, she's the best big sister ever. 

Happy Birthday to my wonderful 12-year old 

 Here's to your last year as a non-teen! 

We're so proud of the wonderful person you are becoming. 

   We Love You. 

Future Bloggers and Book Reviewers of America

There's snow covering the roads but school is still going on here at our house.  I'm letting the future bloggers and book reviewers of American write these book reviews.

Note: There books are "below" the reviewers respective reading levels. I grabbed the Zita book at the library because I recognized the author.  The kids didn't want to read it at first, but once they started reading it, they LOVED it.   They loved it, loved it, loved it...and since I hadn't read it, I assigned writing the book reviews to Heidi.

Greta wanted to review John's books (to be read to him, he can't read that well yet), so that is what she did.

1.

Zita the Spacegirl 

by Ben Hatke (who is a good Catholic and has a daughter named Zita).

A Book Review by Heidi (age 11)

Zita the Space Girl  is about a girl who accidentally sends her friend through a space portal to the the Planet Sriptorus!  Zita has to save her friends.

I think the book was showing what friendship really is, and that everyone has a good imagination.  It kind of reminded me of Star Wars. 

It was very well-written.  The characters are almost real. The illustrations were colorful.  If you love space adventures, aliens and suspense, you will probably be one of those people who blast off so they can read it. 

P.S. Everyone should read it. 

2.

Legends of Zita

A short book review by Heidi

In this book Zita has to find her way home, except there's one problem.  Her space adventures have made her a megastar!  And to make things worse, there is a robot taking her life away.  In other words....a robotic Zita.

I love it!  You have to read it.

3.
Writer's Express

Someone gave us this book a few months ago, and Heidi took the initiative to open it up all on her own and find the page on writing book reviews and book reports.   This is a good little handy guide that young writers will find useful.  The book is divided into different sections and has different lessons, but it's not real textbooky.   The nice thing is that it includes lots of examples, which helps demonstrate the concept they are trying to teach.

4.

Fairies! A True Story

A book review by Greta (age 9)

I like this book because it is about fairies and it sort of is history, my favorite school subject. You should read it because it is a beginner reader book.  You could help your child read it as one of their first books in level three.  It is also history, so children can do history as well as trying to read it and they could double learn.  Older children who already know how to read can learn history, even though it is about fairies that are fairy tales.  I won't give it away, but it is a good book.  Children can learn and enjoy it at the same time.

I warn you, you have to have talented children in order to read it because some words are hard, like the words "believe", "fairies", "people", "dance", "children", "place", "Africa", "Ireland", "helpful", "errands" and "brownies in England". But if your child can't read you can read it to them.  It even mentions Elsie, although fairies really aren't that real it is still a true story because it is about people who think they saw fairies and it is about fake fairy photos.  That is a word in the book, P h o t o s.  That is a hard word to read for beginners, so help your kids read that word, if they are six and under.  If you read it,  I would like you to tell me if you like it. It is a short book.If you don't like it, I don't want to know. Above is a picture of it.

5.

Grizzwold

A book review by Greta

This book is about a bear named Grizzwald who lives in the woods. Some men chop down trees and there are none left. Where will GrizzWald live? The story is mostly about him trying to find a new home. I warn you ,that you may not like this book very well, but for kids around six and five, four, and three, I am sure it is a treasure.  They would like it. They should read it. But if they don't know how to read it, you can read it to them. They would like it, like I said before. It has pretty pictures with a talented author and artist who drew the pictures. Above is a picture of it.

(Linking up with Hallie for 5 Favorites and Jessica (who has a new snazzy blog look) for What We're Reading Wednesday.)

(7QTF) Apparently 2014 is not going to be a good year

1. 

Jennifer Fulweiler (who hosts these 7 Quick Takes I always write) actually DESIGNED this Catholic Saint Name Generator and all the cool Catholic bloggers are finding their saint of the year.   So, I decided to give it a whirl..and lo and behold..who should come up but St. Margaret of Cortona.

She is the patron saint of the falsely accused; hoboes; homeless; insane; orphaned; mentally ill; midwives;penitents; single mothers; reformed prostitutes; stepchildren; tramps.

No offense, St. Margaret, but that wasn't exactly what I wanted. I sincerely hope that 2014 does not bring me to a state of being a homeless, mentally insane, falsely accused, orphaned, single mother.   Please, God, no.  And, just for the record, I was never a prostitute.   So......maybe I'll end up as a midwife???  Either that or a penitent like my mom (heavens, no!).

2.

Anyway..moving on.

A lot of Catholic bloggers are also coming with a word of the year.  I did that last year, and my word was trust.   Is it cheating to use the same word two years in a row??  I think I still need to work on trust.  2013 was a year of many changes for us....and 2014...well it's not looking any better. 

3.

 So...I'm taking trust as my word this year as well...and adding on the word patience.   Because, I really, really, really, really need to work on patience. 

4.

Every New Year I think of my favorite mythological creature.  

The Phoenix. 

Image from Wikipedia

Ever since I read David and the Phoenix, I've loved the imagery of the Phoenix rising up out of the ashes.   I'm sure there is some imagery of Christ in there....the dying and rising again.   When I think of a New Year, I like to think that we are rising from the ashes of last year.  Not that last year was particularly bad or anything, but this is a New Year...and last year's troubles and worries are gone. 

5.

Doubtful that anyone actually noticed, but this blog has been fairly quiet this last week because we've been out of town.   We spent three days up in PA with family and took two days for traveling.  Which means, seeing as how I don't have a smartphone, I was basically without Internet for almost FIVE WHOLE DAYS!!  How did I ever manage? Well, I spent too much time arguing, "discussing" with family members....see that's what happens when I don't have the Internet to distract me.   I get into a lot of "discussions."   Actually..we had a great time, and I already miss all my family dearly. 

6.

And, the kids who've lived in Florida for the last three years, got to see snow!!

It was too cold for Greta. 

Elsa seemed to like it.

Yes, John is wearing two different mittens. 

Heidi was thrilled to throw the first snowball. 

7.

So...who wants a cute baby  toddler picture. 

So, last year on Christmas, Elsa wore a size 6 month Christmas dress.  This year, she wore a size 3 month dress.  You figure it out??  Whether her dress was way too big or way too small....either way it was way too cute!

You may be asking why she didn't wear the size 6 month dress this year.  I don't have it anymore, but for some reason I did have a size 3 month dress that Greta wore like 9 years ago.  So..

That's all...go see Jen for more.